Dispatcher

FIRST STUDENT MANAGEMENT LLC; West Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

First Student is hiring a Dispatcher to support West Hartford Public Schools in West Hartford, CT. The role centers on coordinating buses and drivers, monitoring routes, and communicating updates to keep on-time performance and safety at the forefront.

Expect a Monday–Friday day schedule, $28.00–$31.00 per hour, and opportunities for growth across North America. The ideal candidate has transportation dispatch or call-center experience and can stay calm under pressure.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of relevant experience preferred
• Previous transportation dispatch, terminal operations, driver, logistics, or high-volume call center experience strongly preferred
• High school diploma or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily routes and bus schedules
• Coordinate driver assignments and route coverage
• Monitor service and on-time performance
• Communicate route updates to drivers and location leadership
• Handle a high volume of phone and radio communications
• Counsel and coach drivers and monitors
• Receive scheduling concerns and driver complaints and report them to the appropriate operations leader
• Serve as a primary communication liaison with West Hartford Public Schools
• Help resolve student pick-up, drop-off, and route-related concerns
• Maintain accurate dispatch logs, route information, and operational records
• Assist with charter reservations, billing, driver payroll, or related administrative responsibilities when assigned
• Provide backup driving or clerical support when needed
• Complete special projects and reports
• Assist with the supervision of daily location operations

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Multitasking

Customer service

Decision making

Radio dispatch knowledge

Computer skills

Attendance and punctuality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Radio dispatch equipment

Job description

Now Hiring a Dispatcher serving West Hartford Public Schools West Hartford, CT Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pay: $28.00 to $31.00 per hour Supporting: West Hartford Public Schools At First Student, our Dispatchers reflect our commitment to safety, reliable service, and strong customer support. This position is at the center of the location’s daily operations, coordinating buses and drivers, monitoring routes, and helping the team respond quickly when plans change. If you have transportation, terminal operations, dispatch, or high-volume call center experience and are comfortable making decisions in a fast-paced environment, this is an opportunity to put those skills to work supporting West Hartford Public Schools.

Why Join First Student?

• Competitive pay of $28.00 to $31.00 per hour
• Consistent Monday through Friday day-shift schedule
• Tremendous career advancement opportunities across North America
• Positive, safety-focused, and team-oriented work environment
• Training and opportunities for continued professional development
• The opportunity to support students, families, drivers, and the West Hartford community

Dispatcher Responsibilities

• Oversee daily routes and bus schedules
• Coordinate driver assignments and route coverage
• Monitor service throughout the day and help maintain on-time performance
• Communicate route updates, delays, and service changes to drivers and location leadership
• Handle a high volume of phone and radio communications
• Counsel and coach drivers and monitors
• Receive scheduling concerns and driver complaints and report them to the appropriate operations leader
• Serve as a primary communication liaison with West Hartford Public Schools
• Help resolve student pick-up, drop-off, and route-related concerns
• Maintain accurate dispatch logs, route information, and operational records
• Assist with charter reservations, billing, driver payroll, or related administrative responsibilities when assigned
• Provide backup driving or clerical support when needed
• Complete special projects and reports
• Assist with the supervision of daily location operations

Dispatcher Experience and Skills

• Three to five years of relevant experience preferred
• Previous transportation dispatch, terminal operations, driver, logistics, or high-volume call center experience strongly preferred
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of radio dispatch equipment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service and conflict-resolution abilities
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during service disruptions
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under time constraints and deadlines
• Strong computer skills and the ability to learn transportation and dispatch systems
• Dependable attendance and punctuality
• Ability to work effectively with drivers, monitors, school district contacts, families, and location leadership
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to perform backup driving duties as required

This position is subject to DOT drug testing and physical requirements. DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.

Join Our Team

As a Dispatcher, you will help keep West Hartford’s transportation operation organized, responsive, and focused on safety. Your work will directly support the drivers and monitors who serve students and families every school day.

First Student is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to attract and retain a diverse workforce and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and respected. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. First Student maintains a drug-free workplace and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

Language Requirement

This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.

First for a reason: At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.

MISSION

Provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school, so when students arrive, they start and end their day with an exceptional experience and are ready to achieve their full potential.

FOCUS ON SAFETY

Safety is at the heart of everything we do.

CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS

Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure.

SURPASS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities.

FOSTER TEAMWORK

Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, champion diversity and inclusion.

SET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence.